It is appropriate to commence with general questions and also to determine the person's level of alertness and engagement.

Although Mr Thomas is unwell, requiring supplemental oxygen, it does seem odd that he will not speak with you at all. Is this just cultural? Although ideally we would seek Mr Thomas' permission before speaking to a relative, this may not be possible in the current situation. It is reasonable to attempt to gather collateral history from Mrs Thomas to try to understand the cause of his current mental state.

In order to assess Mr Thomas’ condition, you will need to ask his wife a few questions as Mr Thomas himself was unresponsive.